The Decameron of Giovanni Boccaccio

by Giovanni Boccaccio

  _Day the Eighth_

  HERE BEGINNETH THE EIGHTH DAY OF THE DECAMERON WHEREIN UNDER THE GOVERNANCE OF LAURETTA IS DISCOURSED OF THE TRICKS THAT ALL DAY LONG WOMEN PLAY MEN OR MEN WOMEN OR MEN ONE ANOTHER

  Already on the Sunday morning the rays of the rising light appeared onthe summits of the higher mountains and every shadow having departed,things might manifestly be discerned, when the queen, arising with hercompany, went wandering first through the dewy grass and after,towards half-tierce,[364] visiting a little neighboring church, heardthere divine service; then, returning home, they ate with mirth andjoyance and after sang and danced awhile till the queen dismissedthem, so whoso would might go rest himself. But, whenas the sun hadpassed the meridian, they all seated themselves, according as itpleased the queen, near the fair fountain, for the wontedstory-telling, and Neifile, by her commandment, began thus:

  [Footnote 364: _i.e._ half-past seven a.m.]